Honey bee repellent composition comprising tea tree oil

Abstract

A social stinging insect repellent composition comprises effective repelling amounts of tea tree oil and benzaldehyde, wherein said social stinging insect is a member of the order Hymenoptera and said tea tree is melaleuca alternifolia.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A social stinging Insect repellent composition comprising about 2.5 to 20% tea tree oil, about 1.5 to 20% benzaldehyde, and 5 to 80% of an alcohol, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said social stinging insect is a honey bee. 
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said tea tree oil is about 2.5% to 10% of the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim 2, wherein said benzaldehyde is about 1.5% to 10% of the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 1 in the form of a spray, a cream, a lotion, an oil or a solid. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim 1, wherein said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl alcohol.